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McCaw wants All Blacks to back-up Pumas effort

Sportal.co.nz 06 Oct 2012 Getty Images

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw is well aware of the desire South Africa will bring to Sunday's (NZT) Rugby Championship Test at Soweto.

The game is New Zealand's chance to complete an impressive clean sweep of the inaugural Rugby Championship and also would be the 16th Test victory in succession, one short of equalling the world record among the game's top nations.

South Africa, under new coach Heyneke Meyer, had taken time to find their best touch but they unleashed that against Australia last weekend.

The side's captain's run at the venue at Soccer City was cancelled to preserve the energy of the players.

McCaw said at a press conference in Johannesburg on Friday (SA time): "We want a full tank for tomorrow.

"The guys have been training hard this week, at the intensity of what we expect from the Boks. We have had a good first few days this week and now we have decided to take it a bit easier."

McCaw said the side needed to perform well or all the benefits of their earlier work in the season would be undone.

"What we need to first is ensure we produce a good performance. We did it last week in Argentina, but not being able to back it up would be hugely disappointing," he said.

The fact the Test was a dead rubber now that the Rugby Championship has been decided in the All Blacks favour would not detract from the contest.

"If you can't get excited for the Boks then you should be doing something else with you life really," he said.

"As good as last week was we were always mindful of the added challenge of coming here for the final game.

"We've been mentally and physically preparing ourselves for this, and are really looking forward to the contest," he said.